*UPDATE BY MARY* The CDC removed its recommendation for travelers to wear a mask for monkeypox. It is not an airborne disease:
The CDC last week had added mask-wearing as a precautionary measure for people traveling to countries where monkeypox has been detected. The CDC removed that advice from its website late Monday following social-media posts criticizing the agency for what they called mixed messages over the risk posed by the virus.A CDC spokeswoman said the agency removed the advice because it caused confusion, but didn’t respond immediately to a request for a more detailed explanation.The agency, which has been criticized by public-health experts for what some called poorly timed or confusing messages on Covid-19 prevention, continues to recommend masks for people at high risk of contracting monkeypox. That includes people who share a living space with others infected with monkeypox and healthcare workers and others who may be in close contact with confirmed cases, according to the spokeswoman.—Monkeypox is thought to spread mainly through contact with the rash caused by the virus. That can happen directly via bodily contact or indirectly, by contact with materials used by people infected with the virus.Most cases of monkeypox have been detected in men who have sex with men although it is unknown whether the disease spreads via sexual contact, according to the World Health Organization.
***Previous reporting…
As the covid virus continues to spread and mutate, it is clear that the disease is becoming milder. Although nobody in history has ever masked for colds, one Oregon public health official is still bitterly clinging to masks that don’t work.
The COVID-19 subvariant, omicron BA.2, is on the hunt according to Dr. Jennifer Vines, the Multnomah County health officer.“It’s finding people whose immunity has worn off from the original omicron wave, it’s finding people who have yet to be infected or encounter the COVID virus,” Vines said. “And it’s making them sick – not terribly sick, it’s still a mild virus for the most part.”Given the disruptions and discomfort caused by getting sick, the Multnomah County Health Department recently suggested that people consider wearing a mask in public places. However, Vines said, that recommendation is more of a standard public health message about reducing one’s risk of getting sick than a warning that COVID-19 is about to run rampant again.
And if masks don’t work on an airborne virus, they are not apt to be effective for a virus that spreads by direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Yet, the Centers for Disease is now recommending wearing masks during travel for the prevention of monkeypox.
The CDC says travelers should avoid close contact with sick people, including those with skin lesions or genital lesions, and steer clear of dead or live wild animals including rats, squirrels and monkeys.’Avoid eating or preparing meat from wild game (bushmeat) or using products derived from wild animals from Africa (creams, lotions, powders),’ the CDC says, recommending travelers also avoid contaminated material such as clothing or bedding.’Wear a mask,’ they state.’Wearing a mask can help protect you from many diseases, including monkeypox.’
The advice is being met with a healthy amount of skepticism.
The agency also raised the Alert Level to “2”, which states that travelers should “Practice Enhanced Precautions.”
While not on the level of COVID-19, monkeypox has spread across the globe out of Africa since March. Monkeypox symptoms begin as relatively flu-like but soon expand to the swelling of lymph nodes and a rash across the body and face. Ultimately, painful lesions form on rash areas, leaving severe scarring.”Cases of monkeypox have been reported in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia,” the CDC wrote in its alert.”Some cases were reported among men who have sex with men. Some cases were also reported in people who live in the same household as an infected person,” it added.
The CDC, its bureaucrats, and most public health officials completely squandered their credibility with the covid response. The agency’s desire to make a disease that has only 31 cases nationally into something it can use to expand its power, prestige, and funding is incredible and laughable.
As a fun game: Guess where the bulk of the US cases can be found!
The Georgia case brings the nationwide total to 31 monkeypox cases across 12 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed late Monday.To date, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington state and Washington, D.C., have each confirmed one monkeypox diagnosis.Meanwhile, Illinois and Utah have each confirmed two cases; Colorado has confirmed three cases; Florida has confirmed four cases; California has confirmed six cases; and New York has confirmed seven cases, according to the CDC.
Perhaps the CDC should consider dialing back the hysteria generator on this disease. If it doesn’t, I suspect the motive will be tied to the sickly election results the Democrats are expecting this November.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY